Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has beaten Pep Guardiola, amongst others, to the Premier League Manager of the Month award for August.
The Spaniard, who picks up the award for the third time, is being rewarded for his side’s perfect start to the season after winning their first five games on the bounce. A feat only achieved by the great Arsene Wenger at Arsenal during the 2004/2005 campaign. The victories came against Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Bournemouth, Fulham and Aston Villa.
Arteta beat the likes of Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte, new Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Marco Silva of Fulham in winning the award.
Arsenal’s impressive start during August was further emphasized after their first defeat of the season against Manchester United still left the Gunners in top spot.
The Arsenal boss will be hoping that the award for the month of August 2022 doesn’t contain the same omen as the prize for August last year, which saw award-winner Nuno Espirito Santo sacked a few weeks later.
Arteta will be eager to avoid the spell of form following his last Manager of the Month award, which came in March this year.
Immediately after picking up the March 2022 award, Arsenal’s form took a turn for the worse, losing three consecutive games against Crystal Palace, Southampton and Brighton. This run of games ultimately cost The Gunner’s a place in this year’s UEFA Champions League, finishing two points behind rivals Spurs in fourth.
Arteta will be aware of the fact that his team performed better than his mentor Pep Guardiola’s side during the opening month of the campaign. The ex-Arsenal captain will be aiming to maintain that record, as beating Pep is likely to result in winning the league.
Title-success may be premature talk for Arteta’s men. However, competing with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte will lead to Arsenal finishing towards the top of the table, almost undoubtedly securing a UCL spot for the following campaign. Arteta is joined by Erling Haaland in receiving Premier League awards for the month of August, with the Norwegian goal-scoring machine picking up The PL Player of the Month award for his performances during his first month in Man City blue.